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Emiratis represent the UAE as ambassadors, advisers and representatives but none work for international organisations like the United Nations.

That is something Mohammed Al Qadhi, the general manager of Sandooq Al Watan, is trying to change.

“There isn’t a single Emirati on the UN’s payroll,” he said.

This prompted the social initiative Sandooq Al Watan in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to launch a programme for Emiratis to work abroad for the UN for two years.

The Global Leaders Program aims to prepare a generation of Emirati professionals capable of holding professional positions in leading international and multilateral organizations.

The candidates will be placed abroad in several UN departments and entities through the United Nations Junior Professional Officer Program.

“Apart from serving the country, the skill sets they gain will be unparalleled so even if they decided to not work for the UN after two years, they would have gained skills and exposure that they could not have gained anywhere else in the world,” Mr Al Qadhi said,

The initiative has support from the government with Lt General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, the head of general security for Dubai, backing the plan.

“The Global Leaders is a unique and one of a kind initiative that was launched for the first time through Sandooq Al Watan, MOFA and the Ministry of Youth. This initiative will benefit both the UAE and the individuals participating in this prestigious opportunity,” he said.

“What we hope is that after the two years, they continue to work there. However, if they decide not to, they would have developed new skills sets and acquired global experience that would be useful to the country."

The programme began receiving applications on May 1 and will continue until June 30.

An evaluation committee of experts and specialists will shortlist five candidates by the end of July 2018.

Interested candidates can participate in the initiative by submitting their applications on www.globalleaders.ae

Candidates must be under the age of 32, and hold university or higher-education degrees in various disciplines related to the scope of work of the international organisations. They must also be fluent in both Arabic and English with exceptional communication skills, in addition to being able and willing to relocate, adapt to and deal with different cultures

The Sandoq Al Watan next plans to support placing Emiratis in organisations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

“With Sandooq Al Watan we always focus on quality and not quantity. We always start small and then we expand,” said Mr Al Qadhi

Minister of State, Reem Al Hashimy said, "Our leaders are dedicated to launching initiatives and programmes to train the youth, channel their energies, hone their skills, and enhance their competitiveness on an international scale. It is a platform that allows to share our young citizens’ talents with the world,"

The five successful candidates who will first travel to New York for three-month training will be announced in June.